Patriarch Kirill extends Easter greetings to Hungarian Prime Minister

Moscow, April 16 – Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus congratulated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on the Holy Resurrection of Christ, calling on all social forces of good will to work together to establish a just world.

Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter this year on April 16th.

“Glorifying the Savior of the world who rose from the grave, who showed us his boundless love through his suffering on the cross and glorious resurrection, Christians are called to share the bright joy of Easter with those near and far, to give support to the grieving and those in need. These acts of sacrifice are especially in demand. Today, when the enemy of the human race is trying to inflame enmity between people and entire nations, the Church calls on all well-meaning social forces to work together for the establishment of a strong and just world based on following the lofty moral ideals given to us in Jesus Christ”.

The patriarch wished Orban good health and “joy in the Risen Lord and his assistance in responsible public service.”

Earlier, Hungary refused to agree to the sixth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation until the exclusion of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and the first Russians from the sanctions list. Orban has repeatedly stated that he cannot support sanctions against church leaders, in particular against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that the exclusion of Patriarch Kirill from the EU sanctions list is a matter of principle for Hungary out of respect for freedom of religion.